chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th before straight, soon no extra
led at slow pace, headed after 1st and chased leader, ridden to challenge before straight, under pressure in 3rd and no extra before 2 out, 4th and kept on one pace from before last
held up, 6th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden into 4th before straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace into 3rd before last, no impression on leaders
held up, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up early, led after 1st and soon 5 lengths clear, reduced advantage halfway, pressed before straight, strongly pressed before 2 out where ridden, kept on well under pressure from before last
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd 5 out, improved into 2nd entering straight and challenged before 2 out, pecked 2 out and soon ridden, under pressure in 2nd before last, kept on without reaching winner
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra before straight
always towards rear, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression before straight
Willie Mullins has two entries with Bryan Cooper on board Killer Crow for his retainer. A winner at Naas in November, he couldn't cope when stepped into Grade 1 company back there last month and should find this more to his liking. Ruby Walsh rides AKLAN, who looked ideally suited to this trip when not beaten far by the useful Noble Endeavor at Punchestown - he can return to winning ways. Argocat is a high-class chaser who should have enough pace to make his presence felt, though it's almost two years since he ran over timber. Western Boy is also much better known as a chaser these days and his close second to Vautour in a Grade 2 over hurdles at Punchestown last January is the stand-out form, though he took a very heavy fall at Fairyhouse in December and may be best watched.
Aklan (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Led, joined 3 out, slight mistake next, led again before straight, strongly pressed from before last, headed and one pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Noble Endeavor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl sft in Jan.
Argocat (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 8 out, improved to challenge approaching 3 out, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, no extra from 2 out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr.
Azorian (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, rear and slight mistake 6 out, ridden and trailing next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Chancol (11-4) at Punchestown 2m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Rolly Baby (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, bad mistake 5th, 2nd at 6th, 5th from 2 out, moderate 6th before straight, no extra and eased from last, last of 10, 41l behind Noble Endeavor (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl sft in Jan.
Ttebbob (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, no extra after 2 out, 18th of 21, 28l behind Usuel Smurfer (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Western Boy (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some mistakes, no danger when fell 3 out, in a race won by Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m beg chs sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Killer Crow (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden in moderate 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, slight mistake 2 out, 6th of 7, 28l behind Mckinley (11-7) at Naas 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Cliff House (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd after 3 out, ridden into 2nd after 2 out, soon challenged, narrow lead before last, kept on well run-in to assert, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl in Jan beating Royal Caviar (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
